Dell Inspiron 15 (5590) Usage and Troubleshooting Guide
Summary: Learn how to use and troubleshoot issues that are related to LCD, drivers, webcam, Windows, input devices, networking, and more on your Inspiron 15 (5590).
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This article is not tied to any specific product.
Not all product versions are identified in this article.
Symptoms
For specifications, browse to the Inspiron 5590 Online Manual Page, and then touch or click View PDF under Inspiron 5590 Setup and Specifications (see the Specifications of Inspiron 5590 section).
For port locations, browse to the Inspiron 5590 Online Manual Page, and then touch or click View PDF under Inspiron 5590 Setup and Specifications (see the Views of Inspiron 5590 section).
For the Owner's Manual, browse to the Inspiron 5590 Online Manual Page, and then click View PDF to the right of Inspiron 5590 Service Manual.
To locate your Service Tag or Express Service Code, browse to the Where is the Service Tag located? page.
For how-to's and troubleshooting information about Wired and Wireless networking, browse to the Dell Networking and Wireless Support Center.
To turn the wireless antenna off or on, press the 
key (repeating this will switch the wireless antenna off and on).
For more information about how to turn the wireless antenna on and off on a Dell Computer, see Dell Knowledge Base article How to Turn the Wireless Antenna On and Off on a Dell Computer.
- Using the SupportAssist application provides automatic computer updates and detects issues that will be resolved for you. Let us take the effort out of maintaining your Dell Computer or Tablet. For more information about SupportAssist, browse to the SupportAssist for PCs and tablets page.
- To run online hardware diagnostics to ensure that your hardware is working correctly, see the Dell Knowledge Base article How to use the Dell PC Diagnostics. The article explains how to access the hardware diagnostics and the different kinds of test available for your Dell computer or tablet.
NOTE: The diagnostics will either fix the problem automatically, or it will guide you through the steps to resolve the problem. When the diagnostic identifies a failing part, depending on the failing part, we will immediately start the process for a free in-warranty replacement part.
- When the computer cannot access the Internet, you can run the integrated diagnostics (ePSA) on your computer. For more information, see the Dell Knowledge Base article Resolve Hardware Issues With Built-in and Online Diagnostics (SupportAssist ePSA, ePSA or PSA Error Codes).
This section covers the Microsoft Windows operating system that is installed on your computer; select the tabs below to find out more information.
For help with using Microsoft Windows, see the Dell Windows Support Center. You must select the operating system that you need help with.
When the computer stops responding or you are troubleshooting slow performance issues, perform the following steps:
- Press the Power button for at least 15 seconds to ensure the computer turns off.
- Disconnect all devices including the keyboard, mouse, and external monitor. Peripherals also include external storage devices such as flash drives, USB devices, printers, cards so forth.
- Press the Power button to see if the computer turns on and boots correctly. If not, see Dell Knowledge Base article Computer Does Not Turn on, or is Stuck on the Dell Logo Screen.
- When the computer does boot up correctly, download and install SupportAssist. For more information about how to obtain and install SupportAssist, browse to the SupportAssist for PCs and tablets page.
- Perform computer maintenance on your computer, for more information see Dell Knowledge Base article Optimization and Maintenance of Microsoft Windows or Troubleshooting Slow Performance Issues.
- Start connecting devices one at a time, and check to see if the computer continues to respond.
This link takes you to the Dell Knowledge Base article Microsoft Windows Locks Up or an Error Occurs.
For information about the drivers available, browse to the Inspiron 5590 Drivers Page.
This article provides information about how to download drivers for Dell computers, <Drivers and Downloads FAQs (See the How to Download and Install a Driver section).
This section covers the hardware that is installed on your computer; select the tabs below to find out more information.
See the following Dell Knowledge Base articles for information about how to use or troubleshoot mouse, keyboard, or touchpad issues.
- Keyboard Usage and Troubleshooting Guide
- Mouse Usage and Troubleshooting Guide
- Touchpad Usage and Troubleshooting Guide
NOTE: Some keys on your keyboard have two symbols on them. These keys can be used to perform secondary functions. To perform secondary functions, press Fn and the wanted key. Press and hold the Fn key, and then press the Esc key to switch the primary behavior of the function keys (F1-F12) between two modes - multimedia key mode and function key mode.
For information about how to turn the touchpad on or off, see Dell Knowledge Base article Disabling or Enabling the Touchpad on a Dell Laptop.
See the Dell Knowledge Base article Troubleshooting Touchscreen Issues in Microsoft Windows, for information about resolving Touchscreen issues.
When you experience a situation in which the computer does not start at all, or if it does turn on (lights turn on and fans are spinning) but the computer does not show any image, look at the Battery LED light (located on the left edge, Figure 1) for a blinking amber/white pattern to determine failures listed in Table 1.
Figure 1: Battery Charge LED
NOTE:
The blinking patterns will consist of 2 sets of numbers being represented by a group of Amber blinks, and then a group of White blinks.
First Group: The LED blinks with an Amber color 1 to 9 times, followed by a brief pause with the LED off for 1.5 seconds.
Second Group: The LED blinks with a White color 1 to 9 times, followed by a longer pause before the next cycle starts again with the LED off for 3 seconds.
For example: For a No Memory Detected Error (2,3). The battery LED blinks 2 times with an Amber color, followed by a pause and then blinks 3 times with a White color. The battery LED will pause for 3 seconds before the next cycle repeats itself again. Each LED blink takes 0.5 seconds.
The computer will not shut down when displaying the Diagnostic Error Codes.
Diagnostic Error Codes will always supersede any other use of the LED. For instance, on Notebooks, battery codes for Low Battery or Battery Failure situations will not be displayed when the Diagnostic Error Codes are being displayed.
| Blinking Pattern |
Component | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amber | White | ||
|
2
|
1
|
CPU | CPU failure |
|
2
|
2
|
BIOS ROM failure | System board failure (included BIOS corruption or ROM error). Try to flash the BIOS to the latest version. For more information, browse to Dell BIOS Updates. |
|
2
|
3
|
Memory | No memory / RAM detected |
|
2
|
4
|
Memory | Memory / RAM failure |
|
2
|
5
|
Memory | Invalid memory installed |
|
2
|
6
|
Chipset | System board / Chipset error |
|
2
|
7
|
LCD | LCD failure |
|
3
|
1
|
RTC power failure | CMOS battery failure |
|
3
|
2
|
PCI / Video | PCI or Video card / chip failure |
|
3
|
3
|
BIOS recovery 1 | Recovery image not found. Try to flash the BIOS to the latest version. For more information, browse to Dell BIOS Updates. |
|
3
|
4
|
BIOS recovery 2 | Recovery image found but invalid. Try to flash the BIOS to the latest version. For more information, browse to Dell BIOS Updates. |
For additional help with your computer, Contact Technical Support.
When the Battery LED does not blink with an Amber/White pattern, perform the following steps:- Press the power button for at least 15 seconds to ensure the computer turns off.
- Disconnect all devices including the keyboard, mouse, and external monitor. Peripherals also include external storage devices such as flash drives, USB devices, printers, cards, so forth
- Remove the AC adapter from the computer and unplug the AC adapter from the electrical outlet.
- Ensure the connections on the power cable and AC adapter are firmly pressed together.
- Insert the AC into the computer and a good electrical outlet (not on a surge protector or power strip).
- Press the Power button to see if the computer turns on and boots correctly. If not, see Dell Knowledge Base article Computer Does Not Turn on, or is Stuck on the Dell Logo Screen.
- Start attaching devices one at a time and testing to see if the computer will turn on.
There are times when changes to the settings in the System Setup (BIOS) prevent the computer from booting into Windows or connect to the Internet. Setting the BIOS back to its defaults may help fix these issues.
- Reboot the computer.
- When you see the Dell logo during POST, press the F2 key to enter the setup screen.
- On the System Setup screen, click Load Defaults.
- Ensure that BIOS Defaults is selected and click OK.
- Click OK on the Warning window.
- Click Exit, the computer will restart.
This section covers the hardware that is installed on your computer; select the tabs below to find out more information.
For information about troubleshooting a laptop LCD Screen, see the Dell Knowledge Base article Troubleshooting a Laptop LCD Screen That is Black, Blank or Hard to See.
For help with resolving USB port issues, see Dell Knowledge Base article How to resolve USB port issues.
For information about and help with resolving Hard Drive issues, see the Dell Knowledge Base article Understanding and Troubleshooting Your Hard Drive.
The Battery Charge/Status LED indicator is located on the left edge of the computer (Figure 1). See Table 1 for the power states the computer can be in.
Figure 1: Battery Charge LED
| LED behavior | Description |
|---|---|
| Alternately blinking amber light and white light | An unauthenticated or unsupported non-Dell AC adapter or battery is attached to your laptop |
| Constantly blinking amber light | Battery below specified Low Battery level |
| Light off | Battery in full charge mode with AC adapter present |
| White light on | Battery in charge mode with AC adapter present |
For additional information about and help with resolving Battery issues, see the Battery Support site.
For information about and help with resolving Audio issues, see the Speakers and Headphones Support site.
This section covers the software that may be installed on your computer; select the tabs below to find out more information.
The Dell Windows Backup Media and Recovery Options page provides information about backing up your Windows Operating System as well as recovery options for when Windows does and does not start correctly.
The Dell Download Center provides information about software you may have bought and software that is already installed on your computer, such as Dell Backup Solutions and Dell SupportAssist for PCs and tablets.
Some of the software that is sold at the time of purchase has to be downloaded once you receive your computer. You can download and install those programs by using Dell Digital Delivery, for more information see the following links:
A free PDF reader (Acrobat Reader DC) is available for free from Adobe. You will need this program to view any PDF files such as the Quick Start Guides or Owner's Manuals. 
This article provides help with Microsoft Office programs, A Guide to the various Microsoft Office programs available on your Dell PC.
- The Skype software can be downloaded from the Skype website. This website also offers instructional videos on how to use the Skype program.
- To uninstall Skype, perform the following steps:
- Close Skype and ensure it is not running in the background.
- In the Search bar type appwiz.cpl
- Touch or click appwiz.cpl (Control panel item) to open the Programs and Features window.
- Touch and hold or right-click Skype from the list and select either Remove or Uninstall.
- Reboot your computer and check to ensure that the application has been uninstalled.
To access the Dell Security and Virus Support Page click on the following link:
Your computer will come preinstalled with an anti-virus program. For more information, see the Dell Knowledge Base article Useful Information about the Third Party Anti-virus programs that ship with a Dell PC.
More information about Viruses, Spyware and Malware can be found at the following links:
Cause
Resolution
Out of warranty? No problem. Browse to the Dell.com/support website and enter your Dell Service Tag and view our offers.
NOTE: Offers are only available for US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, and China, personal computer customers. Server and Storage not applicable.
Affected Products
Inspiron 5590Article Properties
Article Number: 000124878
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 09 Aug 2021
Version: 7
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